Yoga Glowing

My friend Cassandra is kind of my personal fitness muse. She was a trainer at one point in her many lives and is so committed to keeping in shape. I am not like that. At all. I really hate exercise unless it's riding a horse.

But, something is starting to change in me and I think it's Cassandra's fault. Actually, I know it is. She invited me to do a yoga challenge with her back in January, and I liked it. And, I could see myself getting stronger. So now, I do yoga every damn day (or #yogaeverydamnday). And, I kind of love it!

Here are the tools I use:
YogaGlo - $18.95 a month for unlimited yoga and meditation classes you can do on your own schedule and level!
Instagram - Follow @beachyogagirl @kinoyoga or @stokedyogi for the latest practices aka challenges. Photographing yourself doing the poses seems narcissistic, but it actually helps you see your form, improve and stay motivated thanks to friends and strangers who say nice things about your progress (narcissist).
Pilates Anytime - I haven't joined this yet, but it looks to be the Pilates version of YogaGlo. I heart Pilates too, so maybe I'll join.

Gotta Have It...2014

I started this list well before NYFW, but it's been validated. So, here's a list of my "gotta haves" for 2014. Mind you, I won't be able to pull all of this off...but somebody should:

Backpacks

Whether high fashion or utilitarian, backpacks are back. Lately while traveling, I've been carrying my black Patagonia backpack instead of a purse, and putting my LV clutch or Chanel bag inside for when I need to dress up.

Tomboy/unisex
Boy's or girl's. Doesn't matter anymore. Button your shirt up to your clavicle, stat.

Something over-the-top unique 
Just show who you are. It doesn't matter if it's on-trend, so much as you love it.

Leather pants
Been on my list for a while now. Still relevant. And comfy.

Mohawks
For girls. Or dogs.

Combat boots
Doc Martens are good for the younger set. For us mid-lifers, I'm going with more of a paddock boot version by Frye.

Sven

Clogs
Take a cue from Europe and put these (back) in your wardrobe. I love my Sven clogs and they look especially great with black or grey skinny jeans. I will be wearing them non-stop with skirts and shorter pants or shorts when my legs are tan in summer.

Golden Goose

Tennies
I'm not a fan of the big clunky ones, but I do love a good pair of simple tennies with aforementioned leather pants, cropped black pants or cropped tight jeans.

Life Book vs. Facebook

I've stumbled upon an interesting phenomenon. It seems documenting/coping with life has moved on from posting everything on Facebook to more artistic means in the form of something called a life book. In fact, I'm participating in a yearlong course dedicated to "life booking" that has me pretty intrigued. I'll keep you posted on my journey back to my creative side.

Keen Wah

Here's something that makes me happy, so thought it was worth sharing. With Thanksgiving upon us, a little super-food for breakfast is certainly a good thing.

Quinoa Granola (a la Gwyneth)
1/2 cup real maple syrup
1/2 cup olive oil
3 cups quinoa (I like the tri-color from TJ's)
Sea salt

Mix together all ingredients in a big bowl. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the quinoa mixture out in a thin layer. Cook in a 400 degree over for about 10 minutes, stir. Cook for another 10 minutes, stir. Cook for about five more minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and stir one last time. Smooth it out and let cool completely. When cool, break into bite-sized pieces. Serve with your preferred toppings - I like blackberries and almond milk - or just eat it by itself. Recipe adapted from It's All Good.

For some laughs, check out the board chronicling the fictional child named Quinoa on Pinterest.

Summertime

Shorts and me. They don't mix. Never liked 'em. In fact, I'm not much of a summer clothing fan. So instead, I like to interject some year-round staples into my wardrobe and make them work for summer. Here are some of my picks for a summer 2013 shopping list. Take them into fall too. Enjoy!

White dress

Black booties

Ginormous necklace

White jeans
I like AGs, but there are lots of options out there.

Classic Jesus Sandals

Pin-up bathing suit
Malia Mills is pricey but makes amazing swimwear for any kind of body.

Follow my Shopping List board on Pinterest for regular updates on what to buy now...

Watch This! The Intouchables

Parlez vous Francais? It doesn't matter if you do. This French movie (sub-titled) is so amazing, you just have to watch it. Seriously. Life-changing.

GP's All Good

My love for GP is no secret. She's just inspiring, and her new cookbook is the best yet.

Before the cookbook came out, I began to toy with the idea of cutting lots of nasty things out of my diet. And, living in California, it's pretty easy to do. But, I hated the recipes I was finding for "clean food."

Enter It's All Good. So far, everything I've tried really is All Good (esp. the banana "ice cream"). Yum. Go buy it and make yourself feel better. Special props to GP for not wearing makeup in the photos - I love to see a star who's not too vain to show what she really looks like.